Many shoppers assume PayPal is available everywhere online, especially on major marketplaces like Amazon. However, despite being one of the most widely used payment platforms, PayPal is not a direct payment option on Amazon. This can be confusing, especially for customers who keep a balance in their PayPal accounts or prefer it for added security. But while PayPal isn’t officially supported, there are a few ways to work around this and still use your PayPal funds when shopping on Amazon.
How Do I Make Payments with PayPal on Amazon
You can’t link your PayPal account directly to your Amazon profile. There’s no checkout button or payment field for PayPal like you’d see on other retail sites. That said, there are indirect methods that allow you to use your PayPal balance for Amazon purchases. The most popular option is to use PayPal to buy Amazon gift cards through third-party platforms that accept PayPal as payment. Once you have the gift card, you can apply it to your Amazon account and shop as usual.
Does Amazon Accept PayPal Payments
Officially, no. Amazon does not accept PayPal as a payment method at checkout. This is partly due to competition, as Amazon offers its own payment services and prefers to keep users within its ecosystem. Because of this, PayPal is not available as a selectable option when completing a purchase on the Amazon website or app.
Does Amazon Accept PayPal Credit
Amazon does not accept PayPal Credit directly either. Even though PayPal Credit works like a line of credit for online shopping, you won’t be able to enter your PayPal Credit details on Amazon’s checkout page. However, similar to PayPal balance use, you can go through an indirect route. Use PayPal Credit to purchase an Amazon gift card via a platform that accepts PayPal Credit, and then redeem the gift card on Amazon.
How to Use PayPal on Your Amazon Order
To use PayPal for an Amazon order, start by buying an Amazon gift card from a website that takes PayPal. Once you’ve purchased the gift card, log in to your Amazon account and add the gift card code to your balance. This balance will then be available during checkout and can be used to pay for your order. While it’s not the most seamless process, it does allow you to spend your PayPal funds on Amazon purchases indirectly.
How to Use a PayPal CashCard on Amazon
The PayPal CashCard is a physical debit card linked to your PayPal account. Because it carries a Mastercard logo, it can be used just like any other debit or credit card. You can enter your CashCard details on Amazon’s payment page, and the payment will be processed like a standard card transaction. This is the closest option to using PayPal directly and is often the easiest solution for frequent Amazon shoppers who want to pay using their PayPal funds.
What Is Better, Amazon Pay or PayPal
Amazon Pay and PayPal are both secure and widely trusted, but they serve slightly different purposes. PayPal is more flexible across the web, accepted on thousands of online stores and services. It also offers features like easy refunds, buyer protection, and the ability to link multiple funding sources. Amazon Pay, on the other hand, is more tailored to the Amazon ecosystem. It’s convenient if you already have your payment and address details stored in your Amazon account, and it’s mostly used on third-party websites rather than on Amazon itself. For broader use, PayPal offers more versatility, but Amazon Pay may be more efficient for certain scenarios.
How to Transfer Amazon Balance to PayPal
There is currently no way to directly transfer your Amazon gift card or account balance to PayPal. Amazon balances are locked within your Amazon account and cannot be withdrawn, transferred, or exchanged. If you want to convert Amazon funds into something usable outside the platform, your best bet is to use the balance to purchase items that can be resold or gifted, but this approach comes with limitations and won’t provide cash or PayPal credit.
How Does Amazon Pay Work
Amazon Pay is a digital payment service offered by Amazon that allows you to use your Amazon account to pay on other websites. It uses the payment methods already stored in your Amazon account, making it a quick and secure way to check out. While it’s not a replacement for PayPal on Amazon’s own site, it’s useful for purchasing from third-party retailers that support Amazon Pay. It streamlines the buying process by keeping all your payment and delivery information in one place.
Why Doesn’t Amazon Accept PayPal Directly
Amazon and PayPal are both massive players in e-commerce, but they’re also competitors in the digital payments space. PayPal was once owned by eBay, Amazon’s long-time rival, and that history may still play a role in why Amazon hasn’t added PayPal as a native payment option. Additionally, Amazon has invested heavily in its own financial products, like Amazon Pay, gift cards, and its credit card partnership, giving it less incentive to enable PayPal use.
Are There Any Risks or Downsides to Using Workarounds
While using gift cards or the PayPal CashCard can be effective, they come with limitations. Gift cards, once purchased, can’t be refunded or exchanged easily. If you buy from a third-party site that isn’t reputable, you could risk losing your money. Using a PayPal CashCard is safer but does require you to apply for and manage a separate physical card. These methods work, but they’re not as convenient as paying with PayPal directly.
Third-Party Gift Card Retailers That Accept PayPal
Sites like eGifter, Gyft, and Raise often let users buy Amazon gift cards using PayPal or PayPal Credit. These platforms can bridge the gap, letting you turn your PayPal funds into Amazon spending power. However, always verify that the retailer is reputable and secure before making a purchase.
Can You Link PayPal to an Amazon Business Account
Business users might wonder if there's any difference when it comes to payment methods. Unfortunately, Amazon Business accounts have the same limitations — PayPal is not accepted, even for B2B purchases. Business users can, however, use business credit cards, debit cards, and invoicing tools Amazon provides to manage spending.
What About Using PayPal on Amazon via Apple Pay or Google Pay
Some assume you can bypass Amazon’s restrictions by linking PayPal to Apple Pay or Google Pay and then using those services at checkout. Amazon doesn’t currently support either Apple Pay or Google Pay for direct purchases, so this method won’t work. However, you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay to purchase Amazon gift cards on other platforms, then apply those to your account.
Can You Use PayPal on Amazon International Sites
Amazon operates different regional versions of its site, such as Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, and Amazon Japan. None of these currently accept PayPal either, so the workaround methods mentioned still apply regardless of which regional site you use.
Summary
While Amazon does not support PayPal directly, there are still ways to shop using your PayPal funds. Whether through gift cards, the PayPal CashCard, or creative workarounds, PayPal users can still access Amazon’s vast marketplace. Each method has its pros and cons, so the best choice depends on how often you shop on Amazon and how you prefer to manage your finances online.